“SERVE now your Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not and the years draw nigh when thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them.”
I have given over a decade of my life to politics and the one thing I knew from the start was that it was not a sprint, more like the longest marathon ever run in the world. I accepted from the beginning that I might not have been the one to complete the race. I am prepared to accept that this may be a baton race. This has never been about expedience.
If it were, I would have long considered joining a party or running in Choiseul where I have strong family ties. In fact, in an earlier article, I did say that come next election I would be running for Choiseul on and Independent ticket. I had promised myself that I would give Anse la Raye/Canaries three tries. Thanks to the last ambush election I was not able to do so. I will keep that promise and Choiseul will see me the elections thereafter if God is gracious enough to spare my life.
Running an election is about building relationships. I would confess that I did not do this sufficiently well over the past years. In fact one may well say I was absent from the community the past five years. So I do have a chance to do it again but I am not as young as before but I still have a lot of vitality in me. Nearing the last election, people were unsure as to whether I intended to run. Well you have five years notice.
This is not about accumulating wealth, if wealth accumulation was a priority in my life I would have lived life differently. “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” The fulfilled life is where one fulfills his life’s purpose. People must be connected to the higher source and to self to know what that purpose is. In fulfilling that purpose people will think that you are mad. I have been so accused. I am not deterred.
But why Anse la Raye/Canaries? I have established this in articles before but let me see if I can collate it here. I lived in Anse la Raye for a good part of my life and I like a challenge. I have chastised many of my colleagues for always highlighting the problem but not forwarding a solution. I do not just like cursing the darkness. I light a candle as well. Many people complain about our political system and our quality of representation. I did something about it. I offered a new model and I offered myself as a candidate. I recall a constituent remarking to me, “Where you going with this, Anse la Raye/Canaries?” That was to say that given the mentality of the people that would never happen. I believe in the people of Anse la Raye/Canaries and my faith has not waned. “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” The people of Anse la Raye/Canaries need empowerment not handouts.
Their mentality will have to change. They cannot see me as a cow to be milked, more as a spring to be harnessed.
I offer myself again and hope to build on the relationship so 2021 here I come, if the government lasts that long.
I like the fact that you are a proactive supporter of the LITERARY ‘grass roots” of St. Lucia.
Much respect with that endeavor.
Frankly, the need for independent politicians looms increasingly necessary as we celebrate each Independence Anniversary.
A “GREEN” Agenda if not party -along the lines of Conservation and SUSTAINABILITY is sorely needed for this small naturally beautiful piece of Paradise.
The Israeli experience with multiple parties has not hurt it even when faced with daunting national challenges.
The extremely awkward choice between Hillary & Clinton also proves the need for Independent or third party representation- even if to keep the big dogs on their smartest heels & sharpest incisors.
I wish you well if your intentions and purpose are to elevate the quality of life for a constituency mired in the shadowy underpins of “Black Market” & remittances dependent survival.
The twin west coast villages can be converted to economic sustainability based on its near pristine marine life ambiance.
These are top dollar world class environments for retirees seeking that “Idyllic’ assisted living and or senior community protected haven.
Think circular designed , shaded glass facade 6 -8 storey hurricane resistant condominiums in a 1 mile setback from unobstructed views of the Caribbean…………..
And with a fully functional state of the art national hospital and even an updated nearby Soufriere emergency ambulatory care retirees will transfer their financial stability to your constituency in droves…..
There will be jobs for many to support this vital burgeoning industry…….or else it goes elsewhere……..like Cuba, Ecuador, Belize……et al
The catch of the Sea enterprise can also be advanced to supply local hotels or even regional market.via new concepts like more naturalistic “Fish Farms” that are less dependent on artificial means for boosting productivity thus controlling pollution and general impact on wild species.
This calls for serious planning that puts nature , the land/ waters /sea , then the best interests of the people first in that order—before PROFITS!
I think that pedagogic strategies utilized by the current prime minister of Dominica may help you to train a door to door -block by block platoon of political grass roots organizers to share your mission / vision and to reeducate your potential constituency as per shared aims/ goals.
The 5 year clock is ticking and you are well versed in literary skills and modern methods for disseminating shared community learning.
Train your constituency cadre for empowerment and taking responsibility for the well being of Anse La Raye and Canaries
They will need a hero to raise their potential national prominence stakes.
You have advocated for the role, eloquently;
now is the time to not only internalize this political embodiment …
it is your time to hit the proverbial ground SPRINTING>
Vive!